The German aviation industry is in a deep crisis. As the Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL) As announced in Berlin, European airlines have reduced the number of aircraft stationed in Germany by a third since 2019. The fleet size has fallen from 190 to just 130 aircraft, which, according to the BDL, has led to the loss of around 10.000 jobs and more than four billion euros in added value annually.
According to industry representatives, this development is due to the massive increase in government spending, which reached a record level of €4,4 billion this year. While aviation is experiencing a boom in almost all other European countries, Germany is lagging dramatically behind in its recovery. The BDL President Jen Bishop and other industry representatives are urgently calling on the federal government to implement the reduction in air transport tax promised in the coalition agreement in order to make the location attractive again.
A country that is falling behind: The sad record of air traffic
The figures presented by the Federation of German Air Transport Associations (BDL) at its half-yearly report paint a bleak picture. Germany ranks 28th out of 31 European countries in terms of the recovery of air traffic after the coronavirus crisis.
- Seat availability is only at 87 percent of the pre-crisis level of 2019, while the European average is 104 percent.
- Passenger numbers rose by just under three percent to 2025 million in the first half of 99,4, compared to ten percent growth in the previous year.
The situation is particularly dramatic for European point-to-point airlines such as Ryanair or EasyjetTheir capacity in Germany is now only 78 percent of its 2019 level, while in the rest of Europe it has already reached 129 percent – a difference of 51 percentage points. This is a clear sign that these airlines, known for their price sensitivity, are avoiding Germany.
A key reason for this development is the more than doubling of government costs since 2019. BDL President Bischof calculated: "For a one-way departure from Germany, either within Germany or to Europe, it costs 35 euros per ticket, which is just for these three components: air traffic tax, air security fee, and air traffic control." By comparison, the same service in Spain costs only 6,50 euros.
Tax burdens and their consequences for the economy and tourism
According to the Federation of German Air Transport Associations (BDL), government revenues from air traffic tax, aviation security fees, and air traffic control charges will rise by around €1,1 billion this year to a record €4,4 billion. These massive financial burdens will have a direct impact on Germany's competitiveness.
- The German export industry's connection to its international markets is suffering massively. Important direct connections are being eliminated, forcing companies to accept longer car journeys to regional hubs. Bischof cited connections such as Nuremberg-Zurich, Stuttgart-Brussels, Hanover-Warsaw, Bremen-Paris, and Düsseldorf-Basel as examples.
- Air freight, a crucial factor for Germany's export-oriented industry, is also affected. High air traffic control fees in Germany are a strong argument for freight companies to shift their operations to other countries. While a typical long-haul cargo flight in Germany costs around €1500, it costs only €72 in Istanbul and even €XNUMX in Liège.
- Despite the high location costs, tourist air traffic in Germany is booming. Holiday airlines such as Condor, Discover Airlines or Tuifly offered 2025 percent more seats in the first half of 34 than in 2019. This shows that demand for vacation travel remains high and customers are willing to bear the costs. However, this development is an exception and cannot offset the poor performance of the overall market.
The standstill of domestic German air traffic and the role of politics
Domestic German air traffic has recovered the least from the crisis. In the first half of the year, fewer than half as many flights took off as in 2019. Excluding feeder flights to major hubs like Frankfurt and Munich, traffic volume was even 80 percent below pre-crisis levels.
- Many regional connections have been eliminated, which severely restricts domestic mobility.
- One reason for the decline is the economic situation in some regions. Bischof mentioned the Stuttgart region, which is heavily influenced by the automotive industry and is home to companies such as Mercedes-Benz or Porsche and suppliers such as Bosch save, including on business trips.
The industry is deeply disappointed with the federal government. Michael Hoppe, Chairman and Managing Director of the Association Barig, said: "The new federal government has received a bitter receipt today." The association accuses the government of standing by while the location loses competitiveness. Not only was the reduction in the air transport tax announced in the coalition agreement not implemented, but the most recent increase from May 2024 was even retained. Swift action is required to provide the "urgently needed relief."
BDL President Bischof appealed to the government to "give priority to the crisis." Repealing the recent increase in the air transport tax would have been a "first signal" to encourage airlines to return to business. The government, he said, has the power to create incentives for business and growth by implementing the tax relief. International airlines would then fly more to Germany again, which would also boost exports and restore lost jobs.
The outlook for the winter flight schedule is also bleak. While capacity in Germany will increase to 90 percent of pre-crisis levels, capacity in other European countries will average 116 percent. Germany thus continues to be at risk of falling behind European aviation, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and mobility.
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